How to Avoid Conflict of Interest Malpractice Missteps

This CLE program will begin with a brief review of the specific conflict rules from the Rules of Professional Conduct.  From there, Mark will challenge the typical excuses for not maintaining a formal conflict-checking system and detail the key components of an effective conflict-checking process. The program will conclude with a discussion of common conflict missteps that lawyers make coupled with practical advice on how to avoid these missteps.

Draft Outline of CLE Presentation:

1. It Starts with the Rules
2. The Sales Pitch
3. The Conflicts Checking Process
4. Conflicts of Interest and Attorney Accountability
5. Avoiding Common Conflict of Interest Traps

A Sampling of Attendee Takeaways:

• An awareness of the importance of a formal conflict resolution process.
• An understanding of the dos and don’ts when taking on multiple client representation.
• Detailed knowledge of the types of information that should be tracked in a comprehensive conflict database.
• Knowing the value of periodically reminding oneself who the client is.